A/N: First of all, thank you for all your wonderful reviews. It really boosted my confidence. Arigato! Well, CHAPTER 3 is here! Hope you guys enjoy it! (-.-)

"We should hurry up." Sasuke said as he quickened his pace.

"Okay."

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she trailed behind her puzzling companion.

CHAPTER 3:

Chiyo…

Her muscles ached as she walked home and there were several cuts and bruises on her arms and legs. The training Sasuke gave her was harder than she anticipated. It took all her stamina to keep up with him and she was indignant that the training left her new teacher unscathed while she was covered in welts. He didn't even break a sweat when they sparred to see how much she already knew.

She had to admit that he was one of the best fighters she's ever encountered. He easily dodged the blows she threw at him. And his face always remained expressionless. But there was something mysterious about his eyes. It was like he was hiding a secret that nobody knew, a secret that he didn't want anybody to find out. She smiled at the thought. He wasn't the only one with secrets.

"So,how was your first day?"

Kakashi suddenly appeared out of nowhere that he almost gave Chiyo a heart attack. It took a few seconds before her heart rate returned to normal. But instead of answering, she just breathed out an exhausted sigh. It was apparent that she was spent up to her limit and walking home was making her more drained by the minute.

"That bad, huh?"

All she could do was nod as her legs struggled to carry her weight. The copy ninja had expected the Uchiha prodigy to give Chiyo a rough training. But he didn't expect that it would start a few moments after the two met.

"Kakashi-sensei,tell me again why I have to do this? I was convinced he was going to make me train to death."

The masked Jounin suppressed a chuckle. Not that it was apparent behind his mask anyway. He thought for a few moments before he answered. He knew that even if Chiyo was joking, she was still expecting him to give her a reasonable answer.

"Well, being his student is the only way you can accomplish your mission. It would've been easier if I found you sooner. I mean, before he was able to avenge his family. If he knew about you, we would've been able to stop him."

Chiyo nodded in understanding. She understood why Sasuke turned out the way he did. She even understood why he felt such hatred for his brother. She would've done the same thing; after all, they did suffer an almost similar fate.

Talking to Kakashi made it easier for her to walk since her mind became occupied with the events that happened. Before she knew it, they were standing in front of her house.

"I guess I'll see you around."

"Sure, Kakashi-sensei."

"And, Chiyo…"

"Yes, sensei?"

"Be careful. Remember what I told you. Gradual execution."

"Hai."

Kakashi disappeared as he teleported to another place. Chiyo had never been so happy to be home and quickly rushed inside eager to have a nice hot shower and a hearty meal.

Sasuke…

The sunset showered the sky with stunning shades of red, orange, and gold. Spring was his favorite season. It allowed him many beautiful days for walks. Walks that he usually does on his own. Sasuke strolled across the woodland of Konoha. His only companions were the birds in the sky and the critters that lived in the forest.

It was a peaceful time in his country. But it offered no excitement in his life. Since Orochimaru's death, not many enemies dared to attack them. Peace and order seemed to have finally settled. In other words, ninjas didn't have many missions to do and that left him to himself with the exception of certain unwanted episodes. These episodes being sudden ambushes by his fan girls.

He grimaced at the thought. To get his mind off of it, he thought about the events that happened that day. Chiyo. There it was again. The sudden rush of familiarity every time he heard or thought of that name.

The training he gave her was intense but rather satisfying. After all, he hasn't done anything worthwhile except the Jounin exam. He'd be meeting her again tomorrow. And he was surprised to find that he was actually looking forward to it. It wasn't something that happened everyday.

"Sasuke!"

A familiar voice called out his name from a distance ahead. His gaze lifted from the ground and quickly saw that it was Sakura. Here we go again. Before she got to him, he told himself to have extra patience. That was what it usually takes to get rid of Sakura.

Sakura…

"How was the exam?"

She already knew that Sasuke passed and was now a Jounin. But she wanted to hear it personally from him. She and Ino looked for him right after the examination but he was nowhere to be found. They searched for him around the city but it was a fruitless effort. Ino gave up an hour ago but Sakura was determined to talk to him.

"It was fine."

Sakura started to walk with him and when he didn't complain, she took it as a sign that he was in a good mood.

"…"

"Do you want to tell me something, Sakura?"

The ninja girl was somehow taken aback by his question. She heard the trace of annoyance in his voice but pretended not to notice.

"Umm, n-no… Not r-really. I just wanted to know if you were okay." She struggled to keep her voice even.

"Well, now you know. I should be getting home."

"Okay. I'll see you around, Sasuke-kun"

He didn't even nod his head. He just continued to walk as if she wasn't there. Her eyes welled up with tears as he disappeared into a corner.

A/N: And that my folks, was the third chapter…I hope you liked it! Please review! I want to hear about your opinions.. But please don't be harsh. Suggestions are also welcome. (-.-)